When Lady Guo heard the rumors outside, she panicked.
"You didn't do this, did you?" Guo Zhenyu looked at her suspiciously.
"I was indeed the matchmaker, but I didn't spread rumors about it outside." Madam Guo felt she was really unlucky.
"Didn't I tell you not to get involved? The relationship between Wang Mengyun and Yang Shi is already awkward, why are you getting involved?" Guo Zhenyu was furious. "Get your things ready right now, we're going to the General's Mansion to clear things up."
Guo Wangshi felt extremely wronged. She did feel that Yang Cui was not as good as she seemed, but she had never said it to anyone else. The people around her were all elderly people who had been with her since childhood, and they would not have said it to anyone else. Could it have been Yang Cui who went out and said it?
The moment the thought crossed her mind, she immediately rejected it. She couldn't possibly ruin her own reputation, so that left only Wang Mengyun.
She already had a grudge against Yang Cui, so it's not surprising that she would take advantage of the opportunity to scheme against Yang Cui. But isn't this putting herself in an unjust position?
The more Guo Wangshi thought about it, the more she felt that Wang Mengyun was the one who did it, and she was determined to go and find out the truth from Wang Mengyun!
Just as Guo Wangshi and Guo Zhenyu were preparing to go to the General's Mansion to explain, the Empress's decree arrived, summoning Guo Wangshi to the palace.
Both Guo Zhenyu and Guo Wangshi had a bad feeling.
When she arrived at Jiaofang Palace, Guo Wangshi found that Wang Mengyun and Yang Cui were both there. Guo Wangshi immediately guessed the Empress's intention and complained in her heart that Yang Cui was making a mountain out of a molehill and had brought the matter to the palace.
In fact, Yang Cui was also a little confused. She guessed that the Empress might be concerned about her, but she hadn't gone to the palace to complain. The Empress was so kind that she would stand up for her.
Wang Mengyun was a little nervous. She hadn't expected to alarm the Empress, but since the matter had been handled discreetly, she thought she wouldn't be suspected. After all, her Yongchang Marquis's family was also a victim...
"Guo Wangshi and Gu Wangshi, do you know your crimes!" The Empress slammed her teacup down on the table and questioned them with a stern expression.
The two were so frightened that they immediately knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
"The Lord of De'an Township is virtuous and talented; how dare you slander him!"
"Your Majesty, please investigate thoroughly! I know nothing! I am a victim too!" Wang Mengyun cried, tears streaming down her face. "I had hoped to marry into the General's family, but who knew..."
Upon hearing this, Madam Guo became anxious: "The rumors outside have nothing to do with me, Your Majesty the Empress and Madam Cen, you must believe me!"
"Shut up, all of you!" The Empress slammed her hand on the table in anger.
The two were so frightened that they immediately fell silent.
"The matter has been investigated and clarified..." the Empress said. "The person who spread the rumors was an old woman in your household who washed chamber pots, and she confessed that she was bribed. As for who bribed her..."
The Empress's gaze fell on Wang Mengyun.
Wang Mengyun's heart pounded.
Madam Guo was furious, gritting her teeth: "Wang, Meng, Yun! What have I done to offend you? You asked me to be a peacemaker, to help you and Madam Cen reconcile, and you even asked me to be your matchmaker, but you turn around and frame me! You..."
"Shut up!" the Queen scolded. "The ones spreading rumors are your own people. If you weren't so incompetent in managing your subordinates, would they have been so easily bribed?"
Wang Mengyun didn't expect things to be exposed so quickly, reaching the highest levels of government. Yang Cui is so capable? How could she find out so quickly without even leaving home?
However, it cannot be acknowledged.
Moreover, the Empress did not explicitly state that she had bribed the people of the Guo family, so there was probably no evidence.
Thinking of this, Wang Mengyun was even less likely to admit it.
She also became more confident, and she cried out, "Your Majesty, I really did nothing. I had already reconciled with Madam Cen. Besides, if these rumors spread, my Gu family will not benefit either."
After saying that, Wang Mengyun's eyes darted around, and she continued, "Sister Wang, you once said at my house that Madam Cen was hypocritical and that her feelings for Young Master Yuan were definitely feigned. Could it be that the people around you heard that and couldn't keep their mouths shut, so..."
Guo Wangshi's eyes widened in surprise, not expecting Wang Mengyun to repeat her words directly in front of the Empress and Yang Cui.
The Guo family also has business dealings with Yang Cui, and the Guo family values Yang Cui. Isn't saying this going to damage the relationship between the two families?
Madam Guo's face flushed red, both angry and anxious. She glanced at Yang Cui and said, "Madam Cen, don't listen to her, I..."
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